The Joyful Intersections of Disability Justice, Care, and Pleasure
A different kind of disability care is possible—and necessary.
When I think of care and pleasure, I think of:
• Me and my partner hanging out in bed during a “bed day,” constantly communicating about what hurts and what positions our bodies need to be in, offering to make each other tea or bringing over the chips. Spooning, reading, telling stories, making out and napping, in the middle of a massive pillow pile. We aren’t trying to cram ourselves into an able-bodied vision of what sexy or a relationship is; it’s totally OK for us to rest, chill, care for ourselves and each other. Our care needs are not some gross secret walled off from date night.
• Or my friend whose multi-decade-old disability care collective helps her get on the toilet, shower, and dress every day, and people ...